Valued Voice

With the continued shortage of IV supplies expecting to last through the end of 2024, policymakers are weighing in with the Biden Administration to urge their assistance after WHA’s outreach requesting assistance.
 
On Oct. 11, Gov. Tony Evers sent a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary, Xavier Becerra, urging the federal government to look at all available options to help hospitals. This came after WHA contacted the Governor’s office relaying concerns from WHA’s members and asking for the Governor to contact the White House.
 
"I know how seriously you are taking this issue and appreciate the efforts you have made to mitigate the impact of the supply chain disruption that has occurred due to the Baxter Medical facility in North Carolina reducing its capacity," said Evers in the letter. "We appreciate these steps and we ask you to continue deploying every potential resource and explore every available option to address these pressing challenges, including FDA shortage declarations, price gauging prevention strategies, and the acquisition of supply from international sources, in order to prevent any additional disruptions," the governor continued.
 
Wisconsin's Congressional Delegation also weighed in with the Biden Administration on Oct. 18, with the entire delegation joining a letter led by Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) asking President Biden to take immediate action to address the impact of the shortage and protect patients. The letter cited concerns WHA had expressed in its letter to the Biden administration which WHA shared with the Congressional Delegation.
 
"We write to you to express our deep concern regarding the impacts of the nationwide IV shortage due to the damage caused by Hurricane Helene," the delegation wrote. "We ask your administration to take all available action to minimize the impact of this shortage on patient care and increase the supply of IV solutions," the letter requested.
 
WHA is continuing to monitor the situation closely. On an Oct. 24 update to its website, Baxter indicated that it has accounted for all its 2500+ employees at its North Cove facility and is optimistic that it will resume production of its highest-throughput IV solutions manufacturing line within the next week. However, it cautioned that given necessary quality activities and regulatory requirements, the earliest this product could enter the distribution channel is mid-to-late November. Hospitals in Wisconsin and across the country are continuing to rely on labor intensive conservation methods to help limited supply keep up with the need for patient care in the meantime.
 
Contact WHA Senior Vice President of Workforce and Clinical Practice Ann Zenk or Vice President of Federal and State Relations Jon Hoelter, or any of us here at WHA if you have questions, feedback or status updates regarding your IV supply.